Chapter 11

Anthony leaned against the billiards table, his cue stick forgotten as the game progressed around him. His fellow gentlemen laughed and joked, their attention focused on the colorful balls and the clinking of glasses filled with brandy. But Anthony's mind was elsewhere, his thoughts consumed by the sight of Chloe seated across from him at supper with Lord Frampton by her side. The way Lord Frampton's hand had rested possessively on Chloe's waist during the dance gnawed at him. Anthony could hardly bear to watch as the Duke of Fladbury leaned in close to whisper in Chloe's ear, his lips curling in to a self satisfied smirk. A hot, sickening jealousy churned in Anthony's stomach, his fists clenching involuntarily at his sides.

"What is the matter? Lost your touch?" Edward teased as Anthony missed an easy shot.

Anthony forced a smile. "Just a bit distracted, I suppose."

Edward laughed, giving Anthony a friendly clap on the shoulder. "Well, focus up. We have got a game to win."

But focus was the last thing Anthony could muster. His gaze kept drifting to the door, his thoughts relentlessly circling back to Chloe. The evening had been a torture, every moment a reminder of the distance between them, of the barriers that kept them apart.

"I need some air," he muttered, turning on his heel and making his way towards the door without even waiting to see what Edward had to say about this.

He stepped outside, the cool night air hitting him like a refreshing wave. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging inside him. As he moved further on to the terrace, he was surprised to see a figure already there, leaning against the stone balustrade with her eyes closed.

"Chloe," he said softly, unable to keep the surprise from his voice.

She turned, her eyes widening in surprise and relief. "Anthony," she whispered, a mixture of emotions crossing her face.

"I did not expect to see you here," he said, stepping closer.

"I needed a moment alone," she replied, her voice trembling slightly. "It is all too much."

They stood in silence for a couple of moments, both of them lost in their thoughts. Until Chloe shattered it, her words just came flying out in a desperate rush.

"Anthony," Chloe finally began, breaking the silence, her eyes filling with tears. "I feel so lost. I can not stand this."

Anthony's heart ached at the sight of Chloe's distress. He moved closer, his voice gentle and filled with concern. "Chloe, what is it? What has happened?"

She sobbed harder. He could not believe this. What on earth had happened to his friend after he left?

"The pressure to secure a suitable match is suffocating," she finally continued. "My father's expectations are crushing me, and the duke's relentless pursuit is making everything worse. I fear for my future, for a life spent in a loveless marriage. I do not know what to do."

It was as if the flood gates had opened, and she could not stop the words from spilling out. Anthony listened intently, his heart breaking for the pain and confusion he saw in her eyes. He reached out, gently taking her hands in his.

"Chloe, I can not imagine the pressure you're under," he said softly. "But know this: you deserve to be happy. You deserve to love and be loved in return. I wish I could take all this burden away from you."

She looked up at him, her eyes searching his. "You do?"

He nodded, his gaze unwavering. "Of course, Chloe. I care about you more than anything."

Chloe hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath, as if steeling herself for what she was about to say. "Because I might have a plan…"

Anthony frowned slightly, unsure of where she was going with this. "What do you mean?"

She had always come up with ‘plans' when they were younger, and often they got him in trouble. He had no doubt that this would not be any different, but he wanted to find out more regardless.

She bit her lip, her hands trembling in his. "A fake courtship."

Anthony hesitated. "What do you mean?"

Of all the things he might have been expecting, this was not it. He did not even understand her words, truth be told.

"If we pretend to be courting, it might ward off the duke's advances and buy me some time to figure things out. Maybe it will give us a chance to convince my father that there are other options."

His heart skipped a beat at her proposal. The idea of being close to Chloe, even under false pretenses, was both thrilling and dangerous. He knew the risks involved, but seeing the desperation in her eyes, he could not refuse her.

"Chloe," he said slowly, "are you sure about this? It is a risky plan. If people find out we are faking it, it could ruin both our reputations."

She nodded, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I know. But I do not see any other way. Please, Anthony, will you do this for me? For the sake of our friendship? Of everything that we shared? Even if it was a long time ago now…"

Anthony hesitated, his mind filled with the echoes of Lord Swift's warnings and the fear of the consequences that would surely follow. But as he looked into Chloe's eyes, seeing the depth of her pain and the strength of her resolve, he knew he could not deny her. With a heavy heart, he agreed to the plan, knowing that he had no choice in the matter. It was not like this would hinder his Season anyway, since the only woman that he had an eye on was right in front of him.

"Chloe," he finally said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him, "I will do it. For you, I shall do whatever it takes."

Relief washed over Chloe's face, and a glimmer of hope sparked to life within her. She squeezed his hand, the simple gesture filled with a depth of meaning that words could not express.

"Thank you, Anthony," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "I do not know what I would do without you."

He pulled her in to a gentle embrace, feeling the weight of their decision settle upon him. "We will get through this together," he murmured, his chin resting on her head. "I promise."

They stood like that for a few moments longer, drawing strength from each other.

Finally, Chloe pulled back, her eyes red but determined. "We should return inside before anyone notices our absence."

Anthony nodded, his heart heavy yet resolute. "Yes, we should."

As they walked back in to the house, the warmth and noise of the gathering enveloped them once more. Anthony escorted Chloe to the drawing room, where she rejoined the other ladies. He lingered for a moment, watching her as she effortlessly slipped back into her social role, her distress hidden behind a practiced smile.

With a sigh, he turned and made his way back to the billiards room. As he walked, he thought about the coldness with which Lord Swift had greeted him tonight. It had been years, and the distain was still there, but that did not surprise Anthony at all, nor did his relentless pursuit of a duke for Chloe. It was a pattern, a script he had seen unfold before.

His mind drifted back to that fateful day in the study of the Swift family's country estate. He remembered every detail with painful clarity…

Anthony stood in the dimly lit study, his heart pounding as Lord Swift paced before him, his face etched with disapproval. The room was filled with the scent of old leather and polished wood, the heavy curtains drawn against the afternoon sun. The air was thick with tension.

"Anthony," Lord Swift began, his voice cold and unyielding. "When Chloe makes her come out, I want you to stay clear away from her."

The words cut through the air like a knife, each syllable laced with disdain. Anthony felt a knot form in his stomach, his mouth dry as he struggled to find his voice.

"Sir, I care for Chloe deeply," he managed to say, his voice trembling. "I want nothing more than to make her happy."

Lord Swift's eyes hardened. "My daughter deserves a gentleman of high ranking, someone who can provide her with the life of wealth and status she deserves. You can not offer her that."

Anthony's heart ached. "But…"

Lord Swift silenced him with a raised hand. "If you truly care for Chloe, you will step back and allow her to find a more suitable match."

The words hung heavy in the air, and Anthony felt a sense of despair wash over him. He knew he could not go against Lord Swift's wishes without risking Chloe's reputation and future. The weight of the decision pressed down on him, suffocating.

"But... Sir, I am not without prospects. My family…"

Lord Swift silenced his further attempts with a raised hand. "Your family's standing is of no consequence. Chloe is destined for a life far beyond what you can provide. If you truly care for her, you will do as I ask and allow her to find a more suitable match."

Anthony felt sick to his stomach. "Sir, with all due respect, Chloe and I have known each other for years. We share a bond, a connection that…"

"Enough!" Lord Swift's voice was sharp, cutting through Anthony's plea. "You will not defy me in this. If you persist in this foolishness, I will ensure that your family is ruined. I will not have my daughter's future jeopardized by a mere infatuation."

Anthony felt his blood run cold. The threat was clear and unmistakable. He knew Lord Swift had the power and influence to carry out his words. To defy him would be to condemn not only himself but his family as well.

With a heavy heart, he nodded his understanding, his voice barely above a whisper. "I will keep my distance."

As he turned to leave the study, he caught a glimpse of Chloe through the window. She was strolling through the gardens, her laughter carrying on the breeze. The sight of her, so beautiful and care free, only served to deepen the ache in his chest. He knew he must let her go, for her sake. He also knew that the only way he could handle this would be to get away. Perhaps to go on a Grand Tour…

Anthony sighed heavily, shaking off his memories from the past, as he stepped in to the billiards room, trying to act naturally after his deep and intense conversation with Chloe where she had presented a crazy plan to him. A plan that he had agreed to, without thinking too much about it. But it was hard to keep his head in order when he found himself immediately greeted by the sight of Lord Swift and Lord Frampton engaged in a deep conversation, their heads bent together conspiratorially. There most certainly was some planning going on, there was no denying that.

The room was filled with the clink of glasses and the murmur of masculine laughter, but Anthony could not shake the feeling that he had just stepped in to a great battle. A battle with the man who had once sent him running across the world. Lord Swift looked up, his eyes narrowing as he took in Anthony's appearance. There was a flicker of suspicion in his gaze. It was almost as if Chloe's father sensed that something was going on. Something that he would not stand for, no matter what.

As he sipped his brandy, Anthony's mind raced with thoughts of the promises he had made to Chloe and the risks they were taking by embarking on this fake courtship. He knew that they were playing a dangerous game, one that could easily back fire and destroy both of their reputations. But he also knew that he could not stand idly by and watch as Chloe was forced in to a loveless marriage. Especially with a cold and unpleasant man like Lord Frampton. A man with a reputation for being power hungry and nasty.

Not the sort of man that Chloe would ever fall in love with.

He might not be able to have her in the way that he so desperately wanted, but he could at least help her, to ensure that he made up for his mistakes of the past. That would have to be enough. As long as he could make things up to her and cause her to forgive him for the past, then he would have to be happy with that. Even if he eventually had to stand back and watch her marry someone else… even the idea of that absolutely killed him.

Taking a deep breath, Anthony moved further into the room, determined to keep up appearances and play his part in the charade. He had to keep his wits about him, for Chloe's sake and his own. They were in this together now, and there was no turning back.